Watching Fat vs. Calories

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By Delia A. Hammock, M.S., R.D.

Nov 12, 2001

David Turner/Studio D

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Is watching fat grams better than counting calories?

Not really. The trouble with focusing only on the fat in foods is that many people take this as a license to gorge on anything fat-free. But even cookies and ice cream with zero fat grams may be packed with sugar and calories, so you can still gain weight, regardless of how "light" the treats are. For a low-fat diet to really work, you need to select low-calorie, high-fiber options that will fill you up, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.